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[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for NCIS Season 22 Episode 13, “Bad Blood.”]
The latest episode of NCIS delves into a chilling case that resurfaces past events, hinting at both personal and professional turmoil for the team. Special Agent McGee, portrayed by Sean Murray, seeks assistance from his colleague Kasie (Diona Reasonover) to raise funds for his twins’ school project, leading to an unexpected combination of family life and crime fighting.
The central investigation revolves around the murder of a lieutenant who intervened during a robbery at a mobile blood bank. Although the robber destroyed the blood bags, it turns out he managed to steal one. The storyline takes a grim turn when the remains of the donor, identified as Lauren, are discovered disintegrating in acid. The search for evidence is challenging, as her home has been meticulously cleansed of any trace of her DNA. Witness accounts reveal a heated argument between Lauren and an unidentified man shortly before her murder.
Lauren had just begun working at a health technology startup named Life Sequence, which examines the links between DNA and individual nutritional needs. As fellow agent Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) reminds the team, Gibbs’ rule 39 highlights that coincidences often have deeper meanings. The firm employs wearable sequencers designed to monitor users’ movements and biological metrics, launching a personalized health plan based on genetic information. The CEO of this promising startup, Fletcher Voss (TJ Thyne), reveals himself to be a controversial figure—having previously appeared in the franchise’s monumental 1,000th episode.
Despite his serious past linked to the NCIS team and having done prison time, Voss claims that his transformative experiences have led him to prioritize what truly matters. Upon investigation, the team uncovers a shocking connection: Lauren’s pregnancy—making Voss the father—places him under a cloud of suspicion, especially considering his complicated divorce that would cost him millions if his ex-wife found out. The stakes are raised when Torres, posing undercover, manages to gather critical evidence that positions Voss at the scene during Lauren’s murder.
During questioning, Voss claims ignorance regarding Lauren’s pregnancy, but after collapsing from a health crisis linked to a daily smoothie regimen, he reveals that he had been poisoned, leading investigators to discover warfarin—a blood-thinning agent present in both his and Lauren’s systems—was the murder weapon. The investigation then shifts focus to Holly, the originator of Life Sequence, who seems to have ulterior motives tied to Voss and the company’s impending public launch, suggesting a conspiracy to cover fraudulent activities.
As the investigation deepens, the team learns that Voss is in dire need of a blood transfusion, for which McGee, as a universal donor, steps forward. A poignant moment occurs when McGee visits Voss in the hospital, where their conversation touches on the themes of fatherhood and the essence of being a good person—a notion that Voss seems to grapple with, comparing their connection to being “blood brothers.”
In a lighter subplot, McGee also engages the NCIS team to support his twins in a coffee-selling fundraiser, concocting amusing blends like Fire Brew, Mocha Mania, and Jitter Joe. With Kasie’s zealous help, he charts orders to outdo the “cool dad” rival, Brendan Banks. Despite significant efforts, including a large order from Voss, McGee loses the contest by a narrow margin of $300, illustrating both the competitive spirit of parenthood and the complexities of balancing work and family.
What are your thoughts on the return of Voss and the intertwining of storylines with other NCIS franchises? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
NCIS, Mondays, 9/8c, CBS
Source
www.tvinsider.com